DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTION DATE ANNOUNCED

Epping Forest District Council has issued public notification of their intention to host an election of twenty District Councillors on Thursday 6th May 2010. This is widely believed to be the planned date of the General Election where residents will be asked to vote to elect a Member of Parliament.

Nominations are now open for those wanting to stand in the poll can obtain the relevant documentation from the Civic Offices, High Street, Epping, CM16 4BZ or by calling Electoral Services on 01992 564000. All nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer at the Civic Offices by 12pm on Thursday 8th April 2010.

Epping has two District Council seats up for election this year Epping Hemnall and Epping Lindsey & Thornwood Common. For more information on elections, please click here.

EPPING’S EASTER EGG HUNT - THIS SATURDAY

An exciting Easter Egg Hunt is to take place on Saturday 27th March from 10am to 3pm in Epping High Street.

The event, organised by the 1st Theydon Garnon Scout Group are asking children to join the hunt for eggs which will be hidden in shop windows right the way along the High Street.

Entry forms call be collected on Saturday from the stand outside Greggs Bakery at a cost of £1 per child. All proceeds will go towards the fundraising campaign to build a new scout hut in Flux’s Lane.

LISTED STATUS FOR EPPING'S WAR MEMORIAL

Epping Town Council has, today, received official notification that the town’s War Memorial in Church Hill has been granted Grade II listed building status.

Listed buildings are managed by English Heritage, but requests to obtain graded statuses have to be formally approved by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The status itself is designed to preserve our memorial as an item of significant importance and should ensure it is protected and maintained to a high standard for generations to come.

ST CLARE HOSPICE'S CELEBRATES 20th BIRTHDAY

Founders, trustees, staff and long-standing supporters of St. Clare Hospice have attended a special reception at the House of Commons to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the charity, hosted by Harlow MP, Bill Rammell and Epping Forest MP, Eleanor Laing.

The Hospice, which provides care for people with life-limiting diseases, such as cancer, end-stage neurological, cardiac, renal or lung disease, was first established by a group of local Councillors, healthcare professionals and business owners. Essex Radio presented the first cheque for £5,000 and a trustee, John Carr, raised £100 by placing a pint glass in a local pub, which raised enough money to register the charity formally. Since then, the hospice has gone on to help over 280,000 people in the local area.

During the reception, Richard Cowie, the current Chief Executive spoke about the plans for expansion and service development after which tours of the Parliamentary Estate were provided.

At a recent visit to the Hospice in Hastingwood, Mrs. Laing explained: “I am delighted to celebrate the Hospice's twentieth anniversary. So much good work has been done here over these twenty years and so many, many people have been helped. St Clare is one of our most popular local charities. It deserves lots of support and I look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength."

NO PLANS TO EXTEND CENTRAL LINE PAST EPPING

Transport for London have confirmed that they have no plans to extend Central Line beyond Epping, despite rumours that a feasibility study has been commissioned to consider extending the track north of Epping Forest to Harlow.

A spokesman for the company said: "There is a well established rail link from Harlow into London, which stops at Tottenham Hale to link in with the Tube. Extending the Tube well outside of London to Harlow would not bring any journey time benefit to passengers, but would involve huge costs”.

Every since the Epping to Ongar section of the Central Line closed back in September 1994, residents who now have to travel into Epping from their own towns and villages have asked why Transport for London don’t extend the line further into Essex. I have put this question to TfL many times and the answer is simple - there just isn’t the money or the desire to do so.

CHURCHES TOGETHER TO HOST HUSTINGS EVENT

The Churches Together in the Epping Forest district have announced their intention to host a hustings in the run-up to the general election and that invitations have now been extended to representatives from each of the 7 political parties who have announced their intentions to stand for election.

The event, which will take place inside St. John’s Church in Epping will focus on issues such as morality, the sanctity of human life, the education of children in such matters and the support to be expected from the government in protecting the rights of all citizens, particularly the old and infirm.

Those interested in obtaining further details of this event can contact the Epping District team office on 01992 575570 or 01992 579935. Alternatively you can email them here.

EPPING TOWNSPERSON OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

The Mayor of Epping, Cllr. Mrs. Janet Hedges has officially presented the award for Epping’s ‘Townsperson of the Year 2010’ to Mary Morgan, a truly inspirational member of our community who has held a vast range of voluntary and charity positions in and around the town for a number of years.

I first met Mary and her very supportive husband at the ‘Christmas Alone Lunch’, which she hosts in the Catholic Church Hall at 12pm each Christmas Day. The event is open to anyone who would usually spend the day alone and not only is a four-course lunch provided, but a raft of entertainment is laid on and presents distributed. It really is one of the most magically generous events I have had the pleasure in attending. I have no questioning my mind when I describe Mary Morgan as an unsung hero and an exemplary member of our town. Truly selfless lady with a fantastic personally and a heart of pure gold.

Mrs. Morgan was presented with her award by the Mayor along with Lord Petre, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex and Michael Chapman, Deputy Lord Lieutenant.

MP LAING TO ATTEND BUSINESS THEMED DEBATE

The Epping Forest Chamber of Commerce is to host a political debate on Wednesday 21st April at Woolston Manor Golf and Country Club from 7.30am to discuss the big issues effecting local business, covering everything from the significant increase seen in business rates to the impact of the global financial crisis.

Representatives from all of the national political parties have been invited to attend, including Conservative MP for Epping Forest, Eleanor Laing, who has agreed to ensure there is a lively debate on both local and national issues and welcomed the opportunity to discuss the key issues effecting business within her constituency.

Epping Forest Chamber of Commerce is an independent, non-profitable organisation run by business people for the benefit of commerce in the local community. The Chamber brings together over 100 diverse companies in the Epping Forest district.

To obtain your ticket for this event, which are being charges at £12 to members and £15 to non-members, please telephone on 0843 289 8184 or email here Alternatively you can book online here. Tickets include a full English breakfast.

BURGLARY NUMBERS DECREASE IN EPPING FOREST

This weekend, I have had a discussion with the District Commander of Policing, Chief Inspector Alan Ray, specifically around dwelling burglaries in Epping Forest, which has been an issue effecting a large number of local residents for many years.

On this issue there is generally good news. Our district has seen a 9% reduction in dwelling burglaries in the past year, which bucks the nation and local trend; Harlow is up 38%, Brentwood is up 30% and Havering is up 25%. During the same period, we have seen an increase of 23% in attempted burglaries, meaning that residents have been a great deal more on the ball in reporting concerns before a crime is actually committed.

That said, the western policing division, which incorporates Epping Forest, Harlow and Brentwood remains the worst in Essex for dwelling burglaries, so the important cross-border work must continue.

One way residents can help drive down these figures is by ensuring their doors are actually locked! It sounds simple, but an enormous amount of burglaries in this area are committed when people think their UPVC doors are locked when it is merely shut. Let’s remain alert and continue to report questionable circumstances or people in our communities.

To discuss any specific concerns you have relating to criminal activity in Epping, please contact PC Gary Harrington at Epping Police Station on 0300 333 4444 or on 07779 317211. Alternatively you can email him here.

YOUNG PEOPLE VOTE TO LOWER VOTING AGE

Epping Forest District Youth Council have hosted a debate and vote which brought forward a motion that the voting age in the UK should be lowered from 18 to 16 years of age. 54% voted in favour of the motion at an event held at the Civic Offices in Epping designed to encourage an interest in democracy among the district's younger residents.

The Youth Council had an opportunity to meet with and question District Council Chairman, Cllr. Mrs. Penny Smith, Epping Forest MP Eleanor Laing and Harlow MP Bill Rammell.

The full debate was webcast and can be viewed by clicking on this link.

SPRING EDITION OF "THE FORESTER" RELEASED

Epping Forest District Council have launched their latest edition of “The Forester” magazine this week, which provides local residents with a mix of council and community news, features and has an A to Z of the most frequently used council phone numbers. It is sent to all residents in the district.

This addition includes actiles on: CCTV success, emergency planning, waste and recycling, Waltham Abbey bible, parrot appeal, Essex on tour and much more.

To download your copy now, please click here. For past editions of The Forester, please click here.

TEENAGE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AT STONARDS HILL

A 17-year-old boy from Epping was arrested and charged today for possession of an offensive weapon (an 18-in metal weight-lifting bar), which was discovered at Stonards Hill Recreation Ground following an incident which saw a 15-year-old boy, also from Epping suffer a broken right elbow.

The 17-year-old has been bailed and is set to appear before Harlow Youth Court on Friday 19th March. Police are appealing for witnesses. Anyone who has any information about the incident is urged to call Essex Police on 0300 333 4444.